The Rose's Kiss: A Natural History Of Flowers

Book Description

Flowers bring joy and beauty to our lives, from the smallest patch of daisies outside our window to the elaborate floral decorations on display at weddings, banquets, and funerals. As well as offering aesthetic benefits, they teach us much about how the world works-each blossom is a living factory that manufactures organs and compounds ranging from the flavonoids that make a rose red to the pollen that gives us hayfever.

In The Rose's Kiss, botanist Peter Bernhardt rekindles our sense of wonder at the plant life all around us. He presents a fascinating and wide ranging look at the natural history of flowers-their forms and functions as well as their hidden interactions with the surrounding environment and the other living organisms they depend upon for survival. Using both familiar and exotic examples, he examines:

flower architecture, including the wonderfully descriptive names of floral parts and their respective roles in a plant's life-cycle
the secret exchange between a bud and its environment that determines blooming time and the lifespan of individual blossoms
colors, scents, and other mechanisms that plants use to attract pollinators and keep them returning season after season
the incredible diversity of organisms that pollinate plants-cockroaches, flies, moths, parrots, hummingbirds, bats, and others
extinct plants and their fossil blossoms, showing the evolution of flowering plants over the past 125 million years
and much more

Delightfully interwoven with intriguing facts and stories from history, folklore, and mythology, The Rose's Kiss is a wonderful example of literary science writing at its best. It should hold wide appeal for nature lovers, garden enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about the inner workings of the natural world.

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining botany lesson...........2003-12-13

Peter Bernhardt is a professor of biology associated with both the St. Louis University and the Missouri Botanical Garden of St. Louis. Although named for America's favorite flower, THE ROSE'S KISS is not dedicated exclusively to the rose. Bernhardt discusses roses throughout the book-particularly the Dog Rose which may be the grandmother of all time-and every section is headed by an epigram saluting the rose, but Bernhardt's focus is the evolution of angiosperms (flowers)-how they came into existence, how they outfoxed the gymnosperms by making themselves irresistible to pollinators, and how today they are in their glory as humans have fallen for their charms.

Hard core gardeners will love this book. Reading Bernhardt you can learn about petals, sepals, carpels and stamens and the fine art of setting seed. The book is loaded with anatomically correct illustrations of flowers and flower parts as well as pollinators and pollinator parts. Did you know, for example, that those large and beautiful colored "petals" on your wind flowers (Anemones, Clematis, Hepatica) are really sepals and not petals at all? The next time your Clematis vine produces flowers, observe the green sepals turn white or purple or pink. Other plants like the rose produce sepals that curl back and reveal true petals that open into colorful flowers.

Anyone who has gardened for a while notices that bees and butterflies seem to prefer one kind of flower over another, and that some plants produce a sweet scent while others are stinky, and some produce exorbitant amounts of pollen while others seem to produce none, and some flowers produce gobs of nectar while others appear dry. Those who have grown annuals, biennials, and perennials might wonder why some plants last one year, some two, and others go on for a time. Others might wonder why some plants have "male" and "female" versions while other plants seem to be self reliant when it comes to setting fruit. Bernhardt addresses these any many other issues concerning flowering plants.

Bernhardt says we live on a planet pollinated primarily by bees. Although humans and other animals may enjoy the honey certain kinds of bees produce, flowers depend on many different kinds of bees to set fruit. The continued existence of bees and other pollinators is dependent on environmentally sound human behavior.

Bees, Pollen and the sex lives of flowers.......2003-03-02

I love growing old roses and reading books about roses and plants every now and then. This is the best book on flowers I've read. Peter Bernhardt (no relation -- never met him) takes us from the structure of the flower, through it life cycle, into the intimate details of its sex life, and on an interesting trek through the early history of flowers (which turns out to be much longer and more interesting than I had expected). I was fascinated by the sections on pollen and how flowers produce it and get it to move from plant to plant (or keep it to themselves within the same closed flower). After reading this book I plan to redesign my garden to provide the bees with more nectar producing flowers to give then the energy they need to work the roses. Before reading The Rose's Kiss I thought that dinosaurs lived in a world without flowering plants. I was wrong. Now I am going to reread the Rose's Kiss and find a book on bees. (And a final note, this is not really a book about roses, though they are mentioned several times. It is about flowering plants of all types.)

Snottygobble.......2002-09-22

I reviewed this book for Nature and recommended it highly. I see no reason to change my mind. It is scholarly, illuminating, witty, easily read, and explains in simple but thorough terms how flowers work. It is a book for the layman that a professional botanist can read with interest. Dr Bernhardt laces the book with personal experiences, relevant anecdotes, and his deep knowldege of botany. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in floral biology and ecology. There is much to learn from this book.

An Interesting, Fun, Different, and Totally Worthwhile Read!.......2002-06-17

I'm a garden writer myself (Allergy-Free Gardening, Ten Speed Press) and I just finished reading The Rose's Kiss by Peter Bernhardt. I really enjoyed this book and was amazed at how much I learned too. I read quite a bit of botanical-based material and all too often find the writing very dry, factual but not much fun to read. This book though, is just the opposite--it is fun and totally interesting and you'll learn a great deal from it...be you a botanist, gardener, or just someone who likes to learn more about science.
Peter Bernhardt (who I don't know personally and have never met) has a deep understanding and obvious love of botany and it shows. He is also a very fine writer and he explains things so well, so clearly, that they stick in your mind. I expect that he is also a terrific teacher since he is so expert at explaining complicated material in a simple, easy to understand way. He also tosses in hundreds of fascinating little tidbits of information as he explains flowers, for this is a book about flowers, how they're formed, how they work, how they're pollinated---great section on bats and possums and other small animals that pollinate flowers.
I like too the way he explains exactly what each scientific name means and that he always gives the reader the origins of the word.
I underlined heavily my copy of The Rose's Kiss and it is a book that I'll keep going back over, reading again all the many sections I've underlined. This book was a present to me from my Dad, and I would highly recommend it as a present for anyone you care about who has more than a passing interest in botany, horticulture, life sciences, and (or) Nature and gardening. A terrific book!

Wait for the remainder........2000-08-16

This book is written for the layman. I found it superficial, but there are annotated suggestions for further reading.

The Rose's Kiss: A Natural History of Flowers

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The Rose's Kiss: A Natural History of Flowers
Peter (Author) University of Chicago Press (Manufactured by) Bernhardt
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OOL04M

Book Description

The wilderness is always close at hand in this peaceful region of North America. Enjoy the culture, dining and shopping of Vancouver but you can steal away from downtown in minutes, to Pacific beaches, rugged peaks, forested islands, to ride the trails, kayak, whale-watch or ski year-round. Our local writers have found the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety from fishing, hiking to golf. Before you leave be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.

The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best - "Fodor's guides are saturated with information."

- Two-color interior design makes it easier to find the information you need
- Fodor's Choice Ratings flag must-see sights and hidden treasures
- Hotel and restaurant reviews cover all budgets
- Plus multi-day itineraries to help you build the right trip for you and/or your family

Customer Reviews:

A superb and inexpensive addition.......2007-06-09

The early American women who made their own rugs did so by frequently drawing upon their own surrounds for inspiration when making their designs. The result is a wealth of charming, domestic, needlecraft patterns that images of flowers, animals, European china, mosaics, wallpapers, boats at waterside, and more. A superb and inexpensive addition to the acclaimed Stemmer House 'International Design Library' series, "American Hooked Rug Patterns" is a wonderfully selected and presented showcase of such designs which have been expertly compiled and organized by Frances Bradbury which is particularly and especially recommended for personal and community library Needlecraft reference collections.

My great grandmother would have loved this one!.......2000-09-10

This book is AWFUL. The designs are dull, very old fashioned and out of date. It is a complete waste of money if you are younger than 95 years old. If you are looking for a fantastic book on this subject look at "The Rug Hook Book" by Thom Boswell, it covers it all from where to get supplies, choosing fabrics (with lots of ideas for adding fun and unusual materials for texture and color), great patterns from traditional to modern. I just can't say enough. If you only buy one book.....this should be the one!

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A Beginner's Dream Come True!.......2000-08-14

Mr. Boswell's "The Rug Hook Book" was one of the first rug hooking books that I purchased, and it is still one of the best. For the money, it surpasses the others. Mr. Boswell's book is filled with colored pictures of inspiring rugs, patterns, illustrations, and easy to use directions. He introduces you to many of the artist's in the rug hooking world. All of his projects include well drawn patterns along with instructions, equipment lists, and dye sources.

I have completed over six rugs now, and I am still inspired by this book! If you have to have one book, order this one! It's even offered in paperpack which makes it affordable by all! This book really is a rug hooker's dream come true!

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American Hooked Rug Patterns
Frances M. Bradbury
Manufacturer: Stemmer House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MBNS1A

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Glorious American folk art
Jill Kemp
Manufacturer: Bears Paw Designs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006RXJDM

Book Description

The sound of toenails clicking across the kitchen floor, the thump of a tail responding to your voice in the dark, the jingling of tags on a collar—all are sounds welcomed by every dog lover. Just as we have grown fond of the antics and traits of our beloved pets, our dogs have grown accustomed to the sound of our keys unlocking the door, our hands reaching into a jar for a doggie treat, and our sharing a spot on the couch. This mutual, unconditional affection between dog and human has created an unbreakable bond that transcends age, gender, and race.

For the Love of Dog: Why Man Is Dog's Best Friend celebrates the incomparable love that humans have for these lovable, furry friends. Ever since becoming a dog owner at the age of twelve, Tracy Ford's love for dogs has grown. His dog taught him about life but also about responsibility, making good decisions, and coping with death. The fluffy ball of fur taught him that almost always it is humans who have accidents, not their pets. The dynamic between pet and owner is not necessarily about what people receive from their pets or they receive from us, but what both give to each other.

Filled with photographs depicting the bond between dogs and their owners, For the Love of Dog outlines why we can't get enough of muddy feet, dripping mustaches, barking at all times of the night and day, scaring the pizza man, and always having our backs protected. Why do we do it? For the love of dog, of course!

Customer Reviews:

the author really "gets it" about dogs!.......2004-11-20

This book is a collection of photos with sayings to go with each photo about why dogs are so special. While there's not much text to this photo book, the words really capture the intense relationship that can form between humans and their dogs. The pictures show dogs in all their moods. This would make a great gift for anyone who is a dedicated dog lover

A must for all dog lovers!.......2004-10-23

I love this book! I laughed and cried!

Book Description

Devoted exclusively to typography, this volume is the quintessential source in which to find a complete, up-to-date record of the most exemplary typographic work produced worldwide. Winners of the Type Directors Club's most recent competition were selected from thousands of entries of graphic design for books, magazines, logos, annual reports, video graphics, and other categories. The results of a separate contest for typeface design are also included. Full information for each entry lists all names of the creative team and other relevant data.

Customer Reviews:

Bookstore Blockbuster.......2002-07-07

I just got this book today ... I have been on the edge of buying it for about a year and lo and behold my stinginess on price paid off! I love this book the quality of the work contained within is fantastic, and the jacket outside done by our friends at ATTIK design is just wonderful. A must by especially at the price! ... quick go get it!!!

One of Attik's masterpiece.......2002-03-24

Typography 21 is a original and creative book. The content inside were very inspirational to me, as a graphic designer. It has a variety of designs, so it should satisfy your eyes.

I thought that the page designs by Attik were much better than the works they reviewed. It was a good book, but not the best.

I am thinking of getting NoiseFour by Attik next.

Worth The Money.......2001-09-19

I don't buy many design books because many of them tend to blur together and look the same after a while. What I really like about 'Typography 21' is that it is an 'annual' for design across many mediums. There is a nice introduction about the jurors and it showcases some of their work, to give you a sense of their backgrounds and then gets right into the work. It is a great source of reference for many needs.

The book itself it very beautiful and if you think the book-jacket is pretty, wait until you see what's underneath it.

Is it any surprise that Imaginary Forces practically owns the motion-graphics category???

I really like this book.

Inspirational.......2001-07-17

Check this book out. I'm sure a bunch of designers already have their copy. I initially bought for the fact that ATTIK designed it. Some cool work but the book as a whole is a comprehensive look at contemporary typography. Some really great pieces. One for the collection...

Beautiful..........2001-07-13

This book is beautiful. I have just got it 20 minutes ago and went through some of the pages and all I had to say was.. wow. Inspiring. In my opinion the cover is inspiring enough. Never seen anything like this... Next, I will probbably get 72 dpi.

Typography 21: The Annual of the Type Directors Club (Typography 21 Series)

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Typography 21: The Annual of the Type Directors Club (Typography 21 Series)
Hearst Books International
Manufacturer: Harper Resource
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0060198923

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Nice but overpriced.

A STEAL AT HALF THE PRICE!

Bold Photography adds to Splendor of Design

DITTO! DITTO! DITTO!

Buy two copies,you`ll have one in tatters in no time!

Bold Romantic Gardens: The New World Landscape of Oehme and Van Sweden
Wolfgang Oehme , and James Van Sweden
Manufacturer: Spacemaker Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Architecture in the Garden

Planting the Natural Garden

The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes

A Pattern Garden: The Essential Elements of Garden Making

Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture

ASIN: 1888931108

Customer Reviews:

Nice but overpriced........2006-04-08

This book is a poor value. The pictures are reasonably illustrative but not stunning. I also found the text to be less informative than I hoped. I am negative because of the high price; I expected better. This would be a great book at $50.

A STEAL AT HALF THE PRICE!.......2001-07-23

This is a great idea book- or lovely gift for a gardening friend. The illustrations are lovely. There are gardens from various climates, formal and informal- If you buy it for a gift, you may not want to give it up.

Bold Photography adds to Splendor of Design.......1999-11-26

This book is a wonderful addition to any Landscape Architects shelf, the photographs emphasize the technique used by these two talented designers, and the pictorial key to their frequently used plant material acts as a springboard for your own interpretation on these very modern, yet naturalistic designs.

DITTO! DITTO! DITTO!.......1999-01-06

I am absolutely positive that you cannot go wrong with this book, or any other by these two incredible designers. With an emphasis on ornamental grasses and very "naturalistic" design styles that are beautiful year round, you'll have a hard time putting this one down. Photographs are absolutely beautiful!! You will definitely not be dissapointed!!!

Buy two copies,you`ll have one in tatters in no time!.......1998-05-19

The greatest gardening book ever written is back in print!Bold,Romantic Gardens is Wolfgang Oehme`s & James vanSweden`s manifesto to mankind.Within you`ll discover the most refreshing viewpoint and supporting design principals ever offered.No matter where, or in what style you garden no other book will provide as much inspiration and food for thought as Bold Romantic Gardens!

Bold Romantic Gardens: The New World Landscapes of Oehme and Van Sweden

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Stunning Photography of Natural Gardens Spaces

Bold Romantic Gardens: The New World Landscapes of Oehme and Van Sweden
Wolfgang Oehme , and James Van Sweden
Manufacturer: Acropolis Books (NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0874919509

Customer Reviews:

Stunning Photography of Natural Gardens Spaces.......2001-08-21

Photographer Susan Rademacher Fry presents almost two dozen landscape projects by Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden in a coffee-table sized book. The photos are technically excellent and effectively communicate the naturalistic language O&vS use in their projects.

There is much emphasis on using native plants and plants that make sense in the context of the garden.Large grasses figure prominently in many of the designs. And many feature rudbeckias and sedums. The goal seems to be to knit a building seemlessly into its enviroment using appropriate garden elements.

When it's a penthouse terrace, a sculpture or fountain and a single plant may suffice. By the shore it's giant mounds of grass waving in the sea breeze. In a wooded setting by a mountain stream the emphasis is on rocks and water.

A number of sites are presented with sketches of the plans. Explanations, though very brief, are clear and helpful.

At times one can't help but feel that the book is a very large, expensive, illustrated cirriculum vitae for the landscape architects; but it is clearly much more. Their love of their art comes shining through. Don't miss the compendium of of 'favorite plants' at the end of the book.

And remember that fifteen years later one of the principles stated his regret that he'd planted quite so many rudbeckias.

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BOLD ROMANTIC GARDENS: THE NEW WORLD LANDSCAPES OF OEHME AND VAN SWEDEN.
Wolfgang and James Van Sweden. Oehme
Manufacturer: Wash., Spacemaker, 1998 (rev. ed.). 310 pp., illus. in color. Very good copy, in dust jacket.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDZIRW

Book Description

Studies in Deuteronomy was compiled as a respectful tribute to Professor C.J. Labuschagne and was presented to him on the occasion of his 65th birthday. The choice of the book of Deuteronomy as a fitting topic for a collection of commemorative essays reflects the focus of Professor Labuschagne's own research on this part of the Bible in recent years. The essays, which employ a variety of methodological approaches to the study of Deuteronomy, deal with such subjects as Masoretic, Septuagintal and Qumran variations in the text of Deuteronomy, Deuteronomic elements in other biblical books, and the reception history of Deuteronomy in the Jewish and Christian worlds. Included also is a first edition of some Deuteronomy manuscripts from Qumran, Masada and Nahal Hever.

Book Description

0riginating at the National Theatre of Great Britain, Amadeus was the recipient of both the Evening Standard Drama Award and the Theatre Critics Award. In the United States, the play won the coveted Tony Award and went on to become a critically acclaimed major motion picture winning eight Oscars, including Best Picture.

Now, this extraordinary work about the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is available with a new preface by Peter Shaffer and a new introduction by the director of the 1998 Broadway revival, Sir Peter Hall. Amadeus is a must-have for classical music buffs, theatre lovers, and aficionados of historical fiction.

Customer Reviews:

Spiritual Vs. Material.......2007-10-02

Peter Shaffer's award-winning and highly popular play AMADEUS is in many ways a morality play but seen through the eyes of a complicated postmodern villain. The play is called AMADEUS but the chief character of the story is Antonio Salieri. Salieri is the Court Composer for Emperor Joseph II of Austria during the end of the 18th Century. He is held in esteem not only by the Emperor and Court, but by the masses as well. Then Amadeus Mozart makes his way to the Austrian Court at Salzburg and Salieri recognizes in the young man a musical genius superior to anything musical he has ever heard. He becomes enraged with bitter jealousy. Feeling that God has abandoned him and given the talent that he has trained to develop and possess his entire life, Salieri declares a war against God that he will fight on the battleground that is Amadeus Mozart.

AMADEUS is a fantastic play. Author Peter Shaffer has revised the play several times since its first performance in 1979 and this version of the show (written twenty years later in 1999) is in my opinion the best because it is the one that portrays Salieri more than just an evil man, but as a human being that the audience and readers can relate to and actually understand somewhat. A must see play that anyone who enjoys theatre should be familiar with.

Well, then, there it is..........2006-11-22

Like a newspaper article, theatre has to convey its story with an economy of words.

In this way, great playwriting is a rare skill much like land the penny toss at the carnival and Shaffer is that rare playwriter who accomplishes his task so seemingly effortlessly.

Deftly, Shaffer tosses his Amadeus and Saliere together and in so doing plays each against their type rendering his Amadeus into the simple squeezebox which provides the background for the languid single note of Saliere's mournful jealousy.

What's so amazing is that in telling us the story of Amadeus' art, Shaffer shares important insights about his own. Don't have too many or too few notes but just the right number. Don't be so flashy in being good that people concentrate on the flashiness instead of the point.

And don't become so engrossed in your art that you lose sight of the ultimate ends it was meant to service in the first place.

Whether we are each more Amadeus or more Saliere we can connect with this play.

Brilliant.......2006-10-15

The film version of "Amadeus" is perhaps my favorite movie of all time. So I was a little nervous when, after picking up the play, I read that it would be very different from the movie. But I needn't have feared because, while there are several key differences, the heart of the story and the genius of its telling are equally prevalent. There is an intriguing alteration to the character of Salieri here in that he feels remorse for what he does to Mozart when confronted with the results of his machinations -- making him much more human and layered than his celluloid counterpart. The truly wonderful thing is that both forms are spectacular -- F. Murray Abraham's Salieri a brazen and histrionic devil to the printed Salieri who becomes horrified by what he has been reduced to in his quest for glory. As drama goes, you can't do much better than the exquisite "Amadeus". Shaffer's labor and its myriad incarnations have only served to deepen the play's message and painstakingly evolved it into the brilliant work presented here. It is undoubtedly one of the great masterpieces of theater, and will surely stand the test of time in future generations.

Excellent!.......2006-03-21

Whether one reads the play or watches the movie, Amadeus is quite a fun, intriguing, and thought provoking look into the music genius, and also that of the man who thought that he killed him. From watching the movie so many times to reading the play (finally!), I don't think there's any reason to really compare the two. They are both, on their own, excellent pieces of work. Both exemplify the spirit, wit, and grotesque passions and lives of all the characters in the play and the movie. They both bring justice, and yes, it's entertaining! Enjoy!

Great play, entertaining reading........2005-12-25

I am a big fan of the movie, so I decided to sit down and read the play. The play is a lot different then the 1984 motion picture, but just as good. It especially gives us another look at Salieri's character, where Saleri in the movie is very stiff and serious, Salieri in Amadeus in full of personality, and even a bit lewd and humorous, a side of him in the movie you can only see in the director's cut. I would deffinatly recommend this play to any fan of the movie, or just a fan of plays in general.

Amadeus - Playbill, Broadhurst Theatre, New York

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Amadeus - Playbill, Broadhurst Theatre, New York
Peter Shaffer , and Playbill Magazine
Manufacturer: Playbill Magazine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000QV4VL2

Product Description

Theatre program. Cast includes Frank Langella, Dennis Boutsikaris, Suzanne Lederer.

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Amadeus A Play (Book Club Edition)
Peter Shaffer
Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000NIQNWI

Product Description

Preface, Acknowledgements & The Set by Peter Shaffer. Two pages of music: Salieri's March. Mozart's Transformation Process & Non Piu Andrai. About the author section.

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Amadeus a Play By Peter Shaffer
Peter Shaffer
Manufacturer: Harper and Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OLWFIU

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Amadeus: A Play by Peter Shaffer
Peter Shaffer
Manufacturer: Harper and Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ND5RA2

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Amadeus : A Play by Peter Shaffer
Peter Shaffer
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEQKTM

Book Description

In this poignant memoir the New York Times bestselling author of Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah, provides a fascinating window into the history and cultural soul of China. Combining personal reflections, rich historical insights, and proverbs handed down to her by her grandfather, Yen Mah shares the wealth of Chinese civilization with Western readers. Exploring the history behind the proverbs, she delves into the lives of the first and second emperors and the two rebel warriors who changed the course of Chinese life, adding stories from her own life to beautifully illustrate their relevance and influence today.

Customer Reviews:

Chinese History made Fascinating.......2007-06-11

Adeline Yeh Mah is an amazing author as her autobiography "Falling Leaves" reveals. This book weaves the meaning of various chinese words and expressions into her personal story in such a way that the reader more clearly understands the historical context and contemporary meaning of each. Very very enjoyable and informative reading!

Purchased my mistake but I like it........2006-07-28

I purchased this book by mistake thinking it was the Thousand Pieces of Gold by Mah. Each chapter is based on a Chinese Proverb with analogies between Chinese historical events and the author's life. Some attempt is made to equate some of these proverbs to English sayings, such as Pearl Harbor, some with more and some with less success. We generally don't go around saying "... a Pearl Harbor ..." or "... a Kennedy Assasination ..." as the book seems to imply. The book itself is a good reading from an historical perspective with explanations of how Chinese think. BTW my Chinese wife has not heard of some of these proverbs which makes me question their modern usage but then again China is a country about the same size of the US with a lot more people and the culture varies by province (changing though).

Reflections of the distant and not too distant past.......2005-08-16

This book is composed of two interwoven tales: an autobiography of the author's life from the 1950s to the 1990s, and the history of China's formative years. These two tales are joined together at crucial points to illustrate how the lessons of life, love, war, and diplomacy practiced 3000 years ago by fuedal warlords are still applicable today, in this case in the life of the author.

The author has had a challenging life as she had to put up with an unloving stepmother as a child and scheming siblings as an adult. She bore this anguish and torture quietly for most of her life until she finally quit her medical career and put her pain to words. The result was several books, with this as the latest. This illustrates various parts of her life and her relationships with various people, including family, friends, and people she met in her career. This latest offering shows how her relationships had parallels in the relationships between the various warlords and politicians involved in China's synthesis from 6+ various kingdoms about 3000 years ago.

The text itself is broken into chapters, each of which is named after a famous Chinese proverb. Each chapter is then dedicated to the historical origins of that proverb, and how that proverb has applied to the author's life and to life in general.

Overall, the book is good reading. It provides insight into the foundations of Chinese culture, how Chinese think, and the mindset of the Chinese people. To a lesser degree it also serves to illustrate the differences between Chinese and Western cultures.

worth every penny.......2004-01-08

Unlike Romance or Western languages, Chinese does not have an alphabet, it is written in calligraphic symbols which have been refined down the ages from their original representational caricatures. When we say: A picture is worth a thousand words, we are actually expressing a very Chinese idea. These proverbs consist of four characters, & speak pithily about things military, political, domestic & educational. What we call aphorisms.

In A THOUSAND PIECES OF GOLD Adeline Yen Mah, whose memoir FALLING LEAVES Rebeccasreads also recommends, introduces us to the long tradition of the Chinese proverbs, & to the utterances many modern men have made upon the events of our own interesting times.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends A THOUSAND PIECES OF GOLD as part memoir, history lesson, language study & insights into the Chinese way of looking at life.

Nice read for a "guai low".......2003-12-30

I'm an overseas Chinese. I tried reading this book through the eyes of a "guai low" (foreigner) to see if it was a book that would open the eyes of the westerner to the thoughts of a Chinese.

If you aren't Chinese, grew up in a western civiliation, and want to try to understand something about how the Chinese think, this is a great introductory book.

What I felt could have been done better is the explanation of the proverbs (cheng yu). I feel strongly about this possibly because Chinese proverbs has defined my life and values. Then again, that might have made the book unnecessary lengthy and boring.

There are 3 stories in this book. That of the first emperor of China - Chin Shih Huang, Mao Ze Dong and the author herself. All 3 are important stories.

Kudos to the courage of Adeline. Only another Chinese can understand what it took to write her books.

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A Thousand Pieces of Gold: Growing Up Through China's Proverbs
Adeline Yen Mah
Manufacturer: HarperSanFrancisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEKR4Q

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